In Partnership with:
Physics graduates are consistently in high demand
Physics graduates are consistently in high demand
Physics graduates are consistently in high demand
A Level Physics requires you to achieve at least the minimum entry requirements for your chosen pathway plus a grade 6 or higher in GCSE Physics and Maths plus 1 grade 6 or higher in another Science. If you are studying combined Science, you need to achieve grade 6-6 or higher and a grade 6 in Maths. The minimum entry requirements will be discussed at open events and at your college interview.
A Level Physics is an ideal preparation for further study in the physical sciences or in any kind of engineering. If you are interested in applying for a degree course in these areas of study, you will find most universities also require Mathematics at A Level. Apart from Mathematics, other subjects that would complement Physics include Computing, Further Maths, Statistics, Chemistry, Biology, Music Technology, Graphics and Geography. You will already have come across some of the concepts of A Level Physics at GCSE level such as forces, energy, waves, radioactivity, electricity and magnetism.
At A Level, you will start to see how these ideas work together, and begin to grasp the universal principles that apply to everything from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies.
The department at Wyke has two well equipped laboratories on the ground floor of the Ash building. There is also an open access computer area adjacent to one of the laboratories and a demonstration classroom shared with the rest of the Science department. The course is supported with online resources as well as printed notes and booklets.
In this section of study, you will learn that all measurements that you take have errors.
In this section of study, you will learn about particles that make up atoms and how light interacts with electrons.
In this section, you will learn about the properties of waves and how waves interfere with matter and each other.
In this section you will look at forces, motion and elastic materials.
The final section of your first year will further develop your knowledge of the fundamental principles of electricity developed at GCSE level.
There are no external exams at the end of the first year. Progression to the second year of the course will be based on internal assessments during your first year of study.
In this section you will learn about thermal physics, circular motion and oscillations.
In this section of study, you will learn about three types of field: gravitational, electrical and magnetic.
Here you will study how unstable nuclei can break down to produce nuclear radiation.
In this section you will learn about telescopes, star classification, pulsars, quasars, black holes and the big bang.
Although there are no internally assessed coursework elements, there are twelve compulsory assessed practical activities which are externally verified. Six of these are in your first year and six are in your second year.
The jump from GCSE to A Level is a challenge, but with a good start, it is one which you can make successfully. Look out for details about Wyke Start, which takes place just as school GCSEs are finishing. We will also set you some preparatory tasks for completion over the summer. As you tackle these, you will be helping to ensure a confident start to your A Level Physics course in September.
Wyke Sixth Form College hold train to teach information events which offer you a great insight into this course. If you are interested in attending one of these events, please complete this form and we will be in contact with the key information.
Please note that the applications for this course can be submitted by following the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page. Applications are made through the University of Huddersfield rather than Wyke Sixth Form College. We look forward to meeting with you.
Physicists play a vital role in many technology-based industries, such as optoelectronics, nanotechnology, computing and renewable energy. Others work in investigating the universe; searching for extra-solar planets or looking for the remnants of the big bang. Some might apply their knowledge in healthcare (medical physics), studying the processes of the earth (geophysics) or the climate (meteorology). The knowledge and skills that studying Physics develops are important in other areas as well. Predicting future market behaviour is vital in finance, and so a physicist’s ability to model complex systems is particularly valued in this sector, whilst logical thinking and an analytical approach is useful in law. Physics provides a broad training in skills that are valued by all employers - an ability to grasp concepts quickly, a determination to find coherent answers, along with problem-solving, analytical, mathematical and ICT skills.
At Wyke Start, our 2-day taster event in July, each of your subjects will set you some work to complete to help prepare you for the course. The work is available to download on https://www.wyke.ac.uk/wyke-start-summer-work
.png)
Each February, around 25 Physics students and staff travel to Geneva, Switzerland to visit CERN and the Large Hadron Collider. We also visit the Red Cross and Red Crescent museum, the UN building and enjoy sightseeing in Geneva. Students from the Physics Department are also invited to participate in the Odgen Trust Physicist of the Year Competition.
The competition has been running since 2015, and Wyke Physics students have been successful every year. Awards are given for demonstrating consistently high attainment and determination throughout the year.
